Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
February 14, 2016

Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite believes law enforcement agencies should penalize owners of ZR vans in order to effectively stop the culture of recklessness on the road.
Speaking to reporters after officiating at a passing out parade for recruits of the Barbados Defence Force yesterday, the Minister of Home Affairs complained that for too long law enforcement had been taking action against drivers and conductors, who simply paid their fines and moved on.
However, he said the vehicle owners were left free to hire other persons to run their buses and fall back into the traditional style.
“I think that in many ways maybe we are putting the emphasis in the wrong place in terms of the drivers and conductors etc.
“That’s our fault, ours collectively, meaning as a country, because as long as I could remember, I’ve been hearing, or you have been hearing about this ZR culture, and it’s been allowed to continue, and the reason it has been allowed to continue is because we seem to be penalizing the wrong persons,” Brathwaite said.
“We penalize the drivers, they go and work for somebody else, and the owners get someone else to drive and not feel it in their pocket.
“I figure that is where we need to start. Begin and end with the owners, because if a guy can’t make money, the foolishness that goes on will come to an end, well at least will be substantially eradicated,” he added.
However, Brathwaite still wants to see bus drivers and conductors charged for flouting the law.
“It does annoy me when I see conductors come out on mornings and stop traffic, and drivers come down a long line and all the traffic blocked up, [go] around a roundabout incorrectly etc. Something really has to be done,” he said.

Tristan, I think they have given up on their ability to deal with the real culpriuts and are now looking for scapegoats. As I said before I wait to see what legal gymnastics will be employed to put the blame on owners. The law of vacarious liability cannot apply to a driver on the road, who is required to obey the traffic laws of this country.

This thing has been going on for nearly 40 years, and only now do they realize they need to be firm. They permit drivers with multiple convictions to go back on the road, and then want to penalize owners for hiring them.

penalizing the owners will only lead to less buses on the road because no person in they right mind would give a bus to somebody to drive only for the driver to go out and do foolishness then the owner at fault …the bus would just park in the yard …that risk is too great

I fail to see what sense it makes penalizing the owner. Won’t the driver STILL LEAVE and CONTINUE their RECKLESSNESS with someone else’s vehicle?!
But AG, you were right when you said the fines imposed on drivers weren’t working to eradicate the nonsense; therefore, START JAILING THEM!
You will NEVER get rid of the madness until you deal with the SOURCE of those problems; the drivers/conductors.

Tristan, I think they have given up on their ability to deal with the real culpriuts and are now looking for scapegoats. As I said before I wait to see what legal gymnastics will be employed to put the blame on owners. The law of vacarious liability cannot apply to a driver on the road, who is required to obey the traffic laws of this country.
This thing has been going on for nearly 40 years, and only now do they realize they need to be firm. They permit drivers with multiple convictions to go back on the road, and then want to penalize owners for hiring them.

penalizing the owners will only lead to less buses on the road because no person in they right mind would give a bus to somebody to drive only for the driver to go out and do foolishness then the owner at fault …the bus would just park in the yard …that risk is too great

Do you know of any owner who would lease their hard earned property, without rules? .. Or were you kidding?

I can understand the point about considering who is hired to work and please note some owners do request Police Certificates of Character. However, at the end of the day, when a man decides that he wants to do junk, what can an owner do but ask that the vehicle be returned? By that time the damage would already be done anyhow.

delano,all a owner need to know is you have a legal licence,nothing more bout a person is his business,you are only driving a van,[ how can a man that is proven to be a dangerous driver doing wid a licence,blame de law,them run things,them have legal guns,

Tristan dare I say yes, some owners don’t be too bothered as long as they making money. Do u think they aren’t aware of how their vans are driven? If I hire u to work for my shop as a mechanic , and I do crap and destroy a customer engine, do they seek compensation from the mechanic or the shop he works for? My point is, there’s a measure of responsibility that falls on the owner. And I’m not defending the ag views , cos I don’t think he should go that route but I made my comment in response to Tristans first comment is all. I think stiffer penalties should b placed on drivers such as HEAVY fines, suspension of licences and I think insurance should be very forward in making it known to owners that if their drivers don’t drive well they are at risk of losing their insurance (just like the rest of us normal drivers).

Do you know of any owner who would lease their hard earned property, without rules? .. Or were you kidding?
I can understand the point about considering who is hired to work and please note some owners do request Police Certificates of Character. However, at the end of the day, when a man decides that he wants to do junk, what can an owner do but ask that the vehicle be returned? By that time the damage would already be done anyhow.
JAIL TIME is the most appropriate and sensible punishment…

delano,all a owner need to know is you have a legal licence,nothing more bout a person is his business,you are only driving a van,[ how can a man that is proven to be a dangerous driver doing wid a licence,blame de law,them run things,them have legal guns,

Tristan dare I say yes, some owners don’t be too bothered as long as they making money. Do u think they aren’t aware of how their vans are driven? If I hire u to work for my shop as a mechanic , and I do crap and destroy a customer engine, do they seek compensation from the mechanic or the shop he works for? My point is, there’s a measure of responsibility that falls on the owner. And I’m not defending the ag views , cos I don’t think he should go that route but I made my comment in response to Tristans first comment is all. I think stiffer penalties should b placed on drivers such as HEAVY fines, suspension of licences and I think insurance should be very forward in making it known to owners that if their drivers don’t drive well they are at risk of losing their insurance (just like the rest of us normal drivers).

I remember when a group of Taxi men started running a route (against the law) back in the day. Rather than nip the ignorance in the bud, the GoB of the day saw a way to make some easy money by handing out what we now know as ZR permits. The corruption started then and will continue because it was the GoB who created this mess in the first place.
Bajans have selective and short memories.

I remember when a group of Taxi men started running a route (against the law) back in the day. Rather than nip the ignorance in the bud, the GoB of the day saw a way to make some easy money by handing out what we now know as ZR permits. The corruption started then and will continue because it was the GoB who created this mess in the first place.
Bajans have selective and short memories.

If you want something done, try telling the police to enforce the laws that already exist, try telling the courts to take drivers with multiple convictions off the roads, try stopping the old boy network that allows drivers to go free because he owners are “connected”

If you want something done, try telling the police to enforce the laws that already exist, try telling the courts to take drivers with multiple convictions off the roads, try stopping the old boy network that allows drivers to go free because he owners are “connected”
Try some of those & see what happens!

You are penalizing the wrong persons?? So isn’t it the person who commits the offence who should be penalized anymore? When did we change from that?

I think you guys have given up on your ability to deal with the real culpriuts and are now looking for scapegoats. As I said before I wait to see what legal gymnastics will be employed to put the blame on owners. The law of vacarious liability cannot apply to a driver on the road, who is required to obey the traffic laws of this country.

This thing has been going on for nearly 40 years; have we only just discovered that we need to be firm?

When the justice system permits drivers with multiple convictions to go back on the road, it is saying to owners ‘ these people are eligible for hire’. How do you penalize an owner for hiring someone the law says is eligible for hire?

When you penalize the drivers the pay a fine and the problems are reoccurring. Still not solved.One should not have to mention it to the owners the owners should be fully responsible equally as the drivers as the drivers are only the employees. It is a service that is a necessity for some if you ask a zr driver to slow down or change the music as its vulgar and you have your impressionable children in the vehicle they want to fight so what should we do then ??

You are penalizing the wrong persons?? So isn’t it the person who commits the offence who should be penalized anymore? When did we change from that?
I think you guys have given up on your ability to deal with the real culpriuts and are now looking for scapegoats. As I said before I wait to see what legal gymnastics will be employed to put the blame on owners. The law of vacarious liability cannot apply to a driver on the road, who is required to obey the traffic laws of this country.
This thing has been going on for nearly 40 years; have we only just discovered that we need to be firm?
When the justice system permits drivers with multiple convictions to go back on the road, it is saying to owners ‘ these people are eligible for hire’. How do you penalize an owner for hiring someone the law says is eligible for hire?

When you penalize the drivers the pay a fine and the problems are reoccurring. Still not solved.One should not have to mention it to the owners the owners should be fully responsible equally as the drivers as the drivers are only the employees. It is a service that is a necessity for some if you ask a zr driver to slow down or change the music as its vulgar and you have your impressionable children in the vehicle they want to fight so what should we do then ??

Rome is burning; Caesar knows whodunnit; yet he plays his violin, wid one han’ …and wid the uthuh, writes philosophical peans to The Law. It’s all the fault of of that hapless creature, which everyone knows…is an ass.

Meanwhile, back at The Ranch, the Yutes relish that they are the New Normal, re-shaping the Very Fabric of Society…under our omnipotent (impotent?) noses.

Citizens of Rome! Awake from your slumber…and DO something…like calling de police to mek dem Bashment folks turn down de music…so you can go back…to sleep!

Rome is burning; Caesar knows whodunnit; yet he plays his violin, wid one han’ …and wid the uthuh, writes philosophical peans to The Law. It’s all the fault of of that hapless creature, which everyone knows…is an ass.
Meanwhile, back at The Ranch, the Yutes relish that they are the New Normal, re-shaping the Very Fabric of Society…under our omnipotent (impotent?) noses.
Citizens of Rome! Awake from your slumber…and DO something…like calling de police to mek dem Bashment folks turn down de music…so you can go back…to sleep!

I don’t agree with the attorney general on this matter. First who are the owner of these van do them drive the van themself. What about the owner that doesn’t want to join a association because some owner do not want to be governed by know laws

I don’t agree with the attorney general on this matter. First who are the owner of these van do them drive the van themself. What about the owner that doesn’t want to join a association because some owner do not want to be governed by know laws

As I always say, doing anything in Barbados to put anything ,right, always take on a end of the world attitude..

This Attorney general is just full of it. he wants everyone to do his job, what should the police do, you cant ask them ,to enforce action ,unless crime is committed or laws, rules ,regulation set by the transport authority is being broken.. the Barbados government needs to get they fingers out and manage Barbados LTD.
Lets all look at one simple dangerous issue, how would bajans expect the ZR owners and drivers with they bad behaviour and reckless driving, to take anything serious, when the government of Barbados is allowing (30000 vehicles ) being driven on the roads of Barbados as uninsured. The owners of the ZR vans, who seems to be held in very high esteem, as to be above the law…
Its now coming to past in Barbados , how effective, the gap between them and us is gradually ,smashing up our bajan societies as certain people becomes more lawless…how do you set standards , when the people who suppose to set the standards ,have no standards.. dishonourable..

As I always say, doing anything in Barbados to put anything ,right, always take on a end of the world attitude..
This Attorney general is just full of it. he wants everyone to do his job, what should the police do, you cant ask them ,to enforce action ,unless crime is committed or laws, rules ,regulation set by the transport authority is being broken.. the Barbados government needs to get they fingers out and manage Barbados LTD.
Lets all look at one simple dangerous issue, how would bajans expect the ZR owners and drivers with they bad behaviour and reckless driving, to take anything serious, when the government of Barbados is allowing (30000 vehicles ) being driven on the roads of Barbados as uninsured. The owners of the ZR vans, who seems to be held in very high esteem, as to be above the law…
Its now coming to past in Barbados , how effective, the gap between them and us is gradually ,smashing up our bajan societies as certain people becomes more lawless…how do you set standards , when the people who suppose to set the standards ,have no standards.. dishonourable..

What madness is this? Is it so hard? Three strikes and drivers/conductor license revoked. Make them do a public transport drivers/conductor course for a year before they can even think about getting back a license.

What madness is this? Is it so hard? Three strikes and drivers/conductor license revoked. Make them do a public transport drivers/conductor course for a year before they can even think about getting back a license.

Inspired by the AG, I have an idea. When an attorney steals client funds, close down the law firm. When a bank employee commits fraud, shut down the bank.
Better idea: Citizens want AG who understands the law and supports investigation followed by appropriate prosecution .
Another one: Detection and enforcement must be stepped up, so that it’s not only frustrated road users seeing the infractions, but police and MTW officers who can bring charges and act accordingly. (Quite convenient that RBPF falls under the AG’s portfolio; wait, court admin too)
On a roll now: Traffic courts dedicated to traffic offences, bringing cases promptly and dispensing justice fairly.

Yet another convenient truth: Both AG and Transport Minister are attorneys who should put their heads together and stop grandstanding. They need to be serious for more than a media moment and get to work on a sensible national transport plan. Identify the essential factors and put the systems in place to do review and honest assessment. Convert the legitimate, law abiding PSV operators into valuable sector partners and commit to getting rid of the culprits. The occasional indignant remark meant to persuade the public that they are working is not convincing. The Bajan public deserves far more.

Inspired by the AG, I have an idea. When an attorney steals client funds, close down the law firm. When a bank employee commits fraud, shut down the bank.
Better idea: Citizens want AG who understands the law and supports investigation followed by appropriate prosecution .
Another one: Detection and enforcement must be stepped up, so that it’s not only frustrated road users seeing the infractions, but police and MTW officers who can bring charges and act accordingly. (Quite convenient that RBPF falls under the AG’s portfolio; wait, court admin too)
On a roll now: Traffic courts dedicated to traffic offences, bringing cases promptly and dispensing justice fairly.
Yet another convenient truth: Both AG and Transport Minister are attorneys who should put their heads together and stop grandstanding. They need to be serious for more than a media moment and get to work on a sensible national transport plan. Identify the essential factors and put the systems in place to do review and honest assessment. Convert the legitimate, law abiding PSV operators into valuable sector partners and commit to getting rid of the culprits. The occasional indignant remark meant to persuade the public that they are working is not convincing. The Bajan public deserves far more.

You are dealing with an ignorant sub-culture which exists not only in Barbados but in several other Caribbean islands. The matter can be cured.
1. Drivers who break the law, turn in their driver’s licenses. They are then required to attend remedial driver education classes. They regain their licenses only when they successful retake their driver examination and road test.
2. In so far as the owners are concerned, in cases where their ZR’s are infringe regularly, they too lose their vehicle permits until such time that they can prove institution of an effective system that screens their employee drivers and conductors prior to hire.
3. Insurers ought to log persistent offenders and impose appropriately high premiums. .
4. Remember the days of magistrate Lennox Perry and Corporal Cyrus. A few more like these two would prove most effective!

You are dealing with an ignorant sub-culture which exists not only in Barbados but in several other Caribbean islands. The matter can be cured.
1. Drivers who break the law, turn in their driver’s licenses. They are then required to attend remedial driver education classes. They regain their licenses only when they successful retake their driver examination and road test.
2. In so far as the owners are concerned, in cases where their ZR’s are infringe regularly, they too lose their vehicle permits until such time that they can prove institution of an effective system that screens their employee drivers and conductors prior to hire.
3. Insurers ought to log persistent offenders and impose appropriately high premiums. .
4. Remember the days of magistrate Lennox Perry and Corporal Cyrus. A few more like these two would prove most effective!

I think its the owners are held responsible. These owners are more than aware of what their employees are up to, but the $$$ is all the care about. Bring them to court see how all this foolishness will stop or at least be drastically reduced. Try calling an ownrr with a complaint and see if anything gets done. At least now we will c who these owners are…. leading to why things could never be done seriously to stop all the nonsense

lol you would buy a vehicle for 100k have to pay insurance of 20k have to pay for a permit and have to pay to maintain the bus, and place it in the hands of somebody that u know out there doing foolishness ?

I think its the owners are held responsible. These owners are more than aware of what their employees are up to, but the $$$ is all the care about. Bring them to court see how all this foolishness will stop or at least be drastically reduced. Try calling an ownrr with a complaint and see if anything gets done. At least now we will c who these owners are…. leading to why things could never be done seriously to stop all the nonsense

lol you would buy a vehicle for 100k have to pay insurance of 20k have to pay for a permit and have to pay to maintain the bus, and place it in the hands of somebody that u know out there doing foolishness ?

lol @ the AG …so when u ask for police Certificates of Character ask round bout the driver , give him 20 million interviews then he still goes out there and do foolishness its the owners fault ?……no wonder the world the way it is people never like to take responsibility for they actions …always place it on somebody else

lol @ the AG …so when u ask for police Certificates of Character ask round bout the driver , give him 20 million interviews then he still goes out there and do foolishness its the owners fault ?……no wonder the world the way it is people never like to take responsibility for they actions …always place it on somebody else

It would be so beneficial, if the government of Barbados, stop wasting time, spend some of they hours reading from the bajan today, to see where the logical ideas is coming from. which is hard to find from the CV jocks.

It would be so beneficial, if the government of Barbados, stop wasting time, spend some of they hours reading from the bajan today, to see where the logical ideas is coming from. which is hard to find from the CV jocks.

Well I think it’s a good move , the driver should be given a fine in accordance with what violation he has committed but the employer of that driver needs taking to task if he is allowing his vans to be driven by people that put others lives in danger. For instance if you give a gun to a 15 year old boy and he kills someone who’s to blame ? Answer is both people. A van owner should know his drivers, have them decently dressed for work and maybe have friends or family jump on that van time to time see what’s going on. In other businesses the buck stops with the owner this is no different. I am appalled to read how bad this is especially how these vans are promoted to tourists .

Well I think it’s a good move , the driver should be given a fine in accordance with what violation he has committed but the employer of that driver needs taking to task if he is allowing his vans to be driven by people that put others lives in danger. For instance if you give a gun to a 15 year old boy and he kills someone who’s to blame ? Answer is both people. A van owner should know his drivers, have them decently dressed for work and maybe have friends or family jump on that van time to time see what’s going on. In other businesses the buck stops with the owner this is no different. I am appalled to read how bad this is especially how these vans are promoted to tourists .

Why is it that this Supposedly Highly Educated acts and speaks so foolishly????

I am the Holder of a Drivers Licence since 1964, in those days it was not very easy to obtain a Drivers Licence, and since then, i have Driven in “Barbados, (1) Collision in Bank hall , The UK (NOTHING There), The USA, (Nothing There) Canada (1) Collision (My Fault) (2) speeding Tickest, nothing in the last approx 35 years. My insurance is $55.00 per Month incliding $1m Liability etc.
i am saying all that to say this, wherever i have driven throughout the Years since obtaining my Drivers Licence, EXCEPT in Barbados, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act of those Jurisdictions, have all put the ONUS on the OPERATORS of ALL Motor vehicles. to be RESPONSIBLE for the Safe operation of the Vehicles that they are Driving. the Law expressly states that thedrive and the Driver alone is RESPONSIBLE for the SAFE operation of that Vehicle at ALL TIMES, so!!!! why would our Esteemed Attorney General want to make these OWNERS, Liable for something that is NOT under their immediate Control ???
Why would he not put in place an amendment to the Road Traffic Act that would force any Driver, not only ZR Drivers to be SUSPENDED from driving for 6 Months in the first Instance, and to retake the written and practical (Road) Test in order to Regain Driving Priviliges (Yes Driving is a Privilege.NOT a Right)
Of Course that would be ABOVE any Fines Accumulated for Road Traffic infractions, all of which would also have to be paid before they are allowed to take any exams, or be allowed back on the Roads Legally.

I hope that the AG. actually reads these Comments, he MIGHT learn a little about what directions he SHOULD be taking.

Why is it that this Supposedly Highly Educated acts and speaks so foolishly????
I am the Holder of a Drivers Licence since 1964, in those days it was not very easy to obtain a Drivers Licence, and since then, i have Driven in “Barbados, (1) Collision in Bank hall , The UK (NOTHING There), The USA, (Nothing There) Canada (1) Collision (My Fault) (2) speeding Tickest, nothing in the last approx 35 years. My insurance is $55.00 per Month incliding $1m Liability etc.
i am saying all that to say this, wherever i have driven throughout the Years since obtaining my Drivers Licence, EXCEPT in Barbados, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act of those Jurisdictions, have all put the ONUS on the OPERATORS of ALL Motor vehicles. to be RESPONSIBLE for the Safe operation of the Vehicles that they are Driving. the Law expressly states that thedrive and the Driver alone is RESPONSIBLE for the SAFE operation of that Vehicle at ALL TIMES, so!!!! why would our Esteemed Attorney General want to make these OWNERS, Liable for something that is NOT under their immediate Control ???
Why would he not put in place an amendment to the Road Traffic Act that would force any Driver, not only ZR Drivers to be SUSPENDED from driving for 6 Months in the first Instance, and to retake the written and practical (Road) Test in order to Regain Driving Priviliges (Yes Driving is a Privilege.NOT a Right)
Of Course that would be ABOVE any Fines Accumulated for Road Traffic infractions, all of which would also have to be paid before they are allowed to take any exams, or be allowed back on the Roads Legally.
I hope that the AG. actually reads these Comments, he MIGHT learn a little about what directions he SHOULD be taking.

Another bout of “foot in mout” disease!!! What will do Mr Minister about the owners of ZR’s who also happen to be politicians? Will they still be one punishment for the Medes and another for the Persians?

Another bout of “foot in mout” disease!!! What will do Mr Minister about the owners of ZR’s who also happen to be politicians? Will they still be one punishment for the Medes and another for the Persians?

Hello. What? Target the owner? That suggests that the drivers are untouchable. Big mugaffy. Come on sir start with demerits points and you will remove all of those reckless drivers who don’t care about life.

Hello. What? Target the owner? That suggests that the drivers are untouchable. Big mugaffy. Come on sir start with demerits points and you will remove all of those reckless drivers who don’t care about life.